Dose Of Sense On Aids

October 27, 1986

Surgeon General C. Everett Koop's report to the nation on acquired immune deficiency syndrome is that rarest of government documents: One that makes sense in practical, fundamental ways without resorting to ideology.

Dr. Koop's suggestion that schools begin teaching about AIDS at the ''lowest grade possible'' is welcome. Sex education is not a school's most pleasant function -- community reaction is unpredictable -- but it may be one of the most important.

Nor is sex education a job that parents look forward to. The subject is difficult to handle, but every child has a right and a need to know about the practices that spread AIDS. Inform, don't scare.

To date, Dr. Koop writes in the report, there is no evidence that the disease is transmitted through such common everyday contact as hugging or social kissing; through swimming pools; through food served at restaurants, even by infected employees; or by toilet seats.

Still, there is increasing evidence that AIDS is beginning to spread to the U.S. heterosexual population, especially through infected prostitutes. That makes it doubly important that schools and parents do their job, and do it soon.